Sugar Rush (Friend-Zoned 3)

Suddenly, she gasps in shock. I still. “What?”

Her eyes water. “It just hit me, you know? That you’re actually here. Living here.” She sniffs and whispers, “That’s awesome.”

I grin. “Now we just have to find a way to get Nina to open a salon up here too.”

Nat’s face turns dreamy. “That would be amazing.” Standing, she claps. “Right! Well, I was going to tell the guys to come here tonight, but I thought I better not. So they’re next-door at ours. That way, when you start to get tired, you can just leave and not have to worry about offending anyone by kicking them out.”

Wow. She’s gone and surprised me.

My brow creases as I respond quietly, “Um, thanks, dude.”

But she’s already out the door. She yells back, “Come on over when you’re ready. No one will care if you’re wearing pajamas!”

I think about going there in my PJs. With a sigh, I slide out of my flannel pants and shirt, and change into jeans and a plain white tee. I quickly slip on some white flip-flops, grab my key, and head next-door.

As soon as I open the door, a cheer sounds. My eyes widen and my heart races. The entire gang is here, as well as Nik and Max’s sisters, Leti, Maria, and Isa, including the two little pugs sleeping in their little beds by the sofa. No kids tonight though. They all look extremely happy to see me. I’ve only met the sisters a couple of times, but they’re a hoot. I like them a lot.

Asher, being the closest to me, comes forward wearing a small smile. Before I know it, I’m wrapped in a brotherly hug. I bury my nose into his collar and breathe him in. I whisper against his tee, “Hey.”

He pulls back and beams down at me. “Fuckin’ great to have you here.”

That’s, like, the most words I’ve ever heard Ash use in one sentence. I grin, and being the honorary little sister, I yank his chain. I imitate him as best I can. “Nice to fuckin’ be here.”

He catches me in a headlock and I choke on my laughter. When he lets me go and playfully pushes me away, I turn to see everyone staring at us. They all look shocked. Nat is the only one smiling softly. I suppose there are not a lot of people who can act this way with Ash. But he and I…we get each other. We have a bond, formed even before Nat and Ash were a thing.

“Um…hi,” I say nervously.

The rest of the guys jump into greetings, hug

s, and kisses. Tina almost smothers me. I spend a little time holding her belly, getting down on my knees and kissing the current home of my nieces or nephews. Nik simply smiles down at me and kisses my forehead. Lola jumps on me and we squeeze each other a long time. Lola and I are closest in age; we have the most in common. Trick punches my arm a little too hard. Mimi smirks as she pulls me into a hug. Her hands drift down to my ass and I chuckle. Mimi’s always said I have a nice ass. Leti, Maria, and Isa all give me love, hugs, and kisses. Then finally comes Max.

Grinning like the fool he is, he steps forward with open arms, and my heart races. I quickly step away. “You already saw me today.”

Asher’s face turns harsh as he mutters, “The fuck is that meant to mean?”

Max doesn’t even look at Ash; he just keeps grinning at me. “I never got to hug you though.”

I take another step back. “I don’t need another hug. I’m all hugged out. Besides, I feel like we’ve bonded enough with your drool stain on my pillow.”

Ash’s face turns bright red. He moves over to Max and grips the front of his shirt. “You better start talkin’, or I’m gonna start maulin’.”

Max just chuckles. “Relax, Ghost.” His face suddenly turns dreamy. “Her bed smells like vanilla. And she smells like cupcakes.”

My stomach flip-flops. Damn him! Damn him and his words to heck!

But Ash is too busy focusing on the prior remark. “When the fuck were you near her bed?”

Max, having no idea how close he is to being pummeled, shrugs. “Today, when she arrived.”

Ash’s face turns deadly. He lunges for Max, but I quickly step between them. “It’s not what you think! He was asleep on my bed when I first came into the apartment.”

Maria snorts. “My brother—the classiest guy in New York,” she remarks, and then raises her glass in a silent toast before drinking the entire contents in one hit.

Mental note: Don’t ever go drinking with Maria.

Max looks over at his sister then flips her the bird. He quickly defends himself. “It’s not like she was actually living there when I fell asleep.” His eyes narrow at me. “So, really, you owe me an apology for cutting my nap short.”

Is…is he being serious?